English Premier League Update

RB Salzburg have appointed Liverpool's assistant manager Pep Lijnders as manager on a three year-contract. “Truly from the bottom of my heart, I just hope our paths cross again in the future. That would be absolutely unbelievable”.

The Premier League confirms the summer transfer window will open on Friday 14 June and close at 23:00 BST on Friday 30 August. The winter window will run from Wednesday 1 January 2025 to Monday 3 February 2025. "To ensure harmonisation with the major leagues in Europe, the closing dates were set following discussions with the EFL, DFL, Serie A, LaLiga, and LFP, who will all close their Summer and Winter windows on 30 August and 3 February respectively." (JacobsBen) @Premier_League_Update

Kevin De Bruyne says he is "alright" after his injury vs Tottenham, and the problem is "not bad". KDB: "A bit sore, but it's just the place in the achilles and in the moment it felt like a knife when I got the impact. But it's [only] an impact..." [SkySportsPL] @Premier_League_Update

Todd Boehly says Chelsea's big spending is an investment not an expense. "When we are spending, we are investing and those players continue to hold their value... "So what we are thinking of is what does it cost to finance that portfolio of players. Some will go up and some will go down in value, but I argue the investments made at Chelsea have held their value... "We are not spending the money, we are investing the money. So when we buy, we are just thinking about the cost of carry." @Premier_League_Update

Todd Boehly via QatarEconForum on Chelsea's stadium plans. "Long term we are working on the stadium plan. We have a really unique spot in London. So many people can come to a Chelsea game and we are basically in the heart of west London, but we only have a stadium that seats about 40,000... "To update the quality and size of the stadium is a priority for us over the next decade. [Plans] have already started, but you have to have a lot of conversations with a lot of constituents because you are in the middle of London. The good news is we're in the middle of London, but the bad news is we're in the middle of London!" (JacobsBen) @Premier_League_Update

Ten Hag on Wayne Rooney's claim that some injured players can play: "I think you have to see here in Carrington, the players are desperate to play. I see Licha Martinez, I see Bruno Fernandes - he did a fitness test on Sunday to play. Marcus Rashford did everything he could do..."

Ten Hag: "Victor Lindelöf and Raphaël Varane are training to make themselves available for the final. They do what they can do."

Ten Hag asked if he ever feels sad on the touchline: "I can't feel like this, I can't express this, because that will lower the vibe in my team. we have faced high problems, but I am always positive. I do it with the players who are available, we make the best team of it, we motivate them. I have to inspire the team, and I will keep fighting."

Unai Emery has now led 3 different “villa” teams to CL qualification 🤣